It happened during on Feb. 12 at Saint Benedict Orthodox Church, located near Southeast 59th Street and South Sunnylane Road.

"It's not something you expect, especially in a church," said the Rev. Anthony Nelson. "All of us were surprised."

Surveillance cameras caught the crime on tape. The video shows two men dressed in hoodies peering through the front door of the church, then entering and walking out with purses.

"You're scared for safety," said Valentina Harris, who had her purse stolen. "You don't know whose hands they're in and what they're going to do, especially with all of your personal information. It's scary."

Harris said the thieves placed several phone calls from her phone. She's had to purchase a new purse and phone, cancel her credit cards and change the locks on her house. She's hoping someone will recognize the thieves from the surveillance video and call police.

The church said it has never had any issues with crime in the past, but is advising members to keep their personal belongings close and has a message for the thieves.

"They should probably develop some fear of God," Nelson said. "Because it's bad enough to do that. It's especially bad to do that during a sacred space."

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